financials

The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) revolution dates back at least to the 1960s, when manufacturers first used integrated software systems to manage raw material inventories and to reconcile balances between inventory and finished goods.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, software developers added accounting and human resources function into ERP systems. Those systems exploded in the 21st Century as developers incorporated sales force automation, marketing, and ecommerce functions into ERP systems. This gave managers a global perspective of their organizations and business intelligence that improved strategic planning and enabled better projections for business growth and development.

Cloud-based systems have become the next wave in the ERP revolution. Yes, those systems are leading the transformation of business intelligence from being confined to traditional physical brick-and-mortar business operations into the virtual presences that are the hallmark of modern connected businesses.

Hello Friends, here is the second set of Questions on Application Developers , more of general questions, i am not digging in particular areas , only trying to put question which i normally ask with candidates. If you want help in any specific areas , plz advise, i will try to do that.

Q11 ) What is SET-OF-BOOKS?
Collection of Chat of Accounts and Currency and Calendars is called SOB

Q12 ) What is the interface?
Interface Table is a table which is used as medium for transfer of data between two systems.

Q13 Tell me what is the procedure to develop an interface?
a. First we will get the Requirement document.
b. We will create control file based on that plot file.
c. Then the control files which loads the data into staging tables.
d. Through pl/sql programs we will mapping and validate the data and then dump into the interface tables.
e. Through the standard programs we will push the data from interface tables to Base tables.

Q14) What is multi org?
“Legal entity has more than one operating unit is called as multi org”
a) Business group — Human resources information is secured by Business group
b) Legal entity. — inter-company and fiscal/tax reporting.
c) Operating unit — secures AR, OE, AP, PA and PO Information.
d) Organizations — is a specialize unit of work at particular locations

Q15) What are the User PARAMETERS in the Reports?
P_CONC_REQUEST_ID
P_FLEX_VALUE

Q16) FND USER EXITS:-
FND SRWINIT sets your profile option values, multiple organizations and allows Oracle Application Object Library user exits to detect that they have been called by an Oracle Reports program.
FND SRWEXIT ensures that all the memory allocated for AOL user exits have been freed up properly.
FND FLEXIDVAL are used to display flex field information like prompt, value etc
FND FLEXSQL these user exits allow you to use flex fields in your reports
FND FORMAT_CURRENCY is used to print currency in various formats by using formula column

Q17) what are the two parameters that are mandatory for pl/sql type concurrent program?
Procedure/function (ERRBUF OUT
RETCODE OUT
………………….)
ERRBUF :- Used to write the error message to log or request file.
RETCODE :- Populate log request file with program submission details info.

Q18.) What is Value Set?
–The value set is a collection (or) container of values.
–When ever the value set associated with any report parameters. It provides list of values to the end user to accept one of the values as report parameter value.
n If the list of values needed to be dynamic and ever changing and define a table based values set.

Q19) What r the validation types in Value Set?
1) None ——– validation is minimal.
2) Independent ——input must exist on previously defined list of values
3) Dependent ——input is checked against a subset of values based on a
prior value.
3) Table —– input is checked against values in an application table
4) Special ——values set uses a flex field itself.
5) Pair —— two flex fields together specify a range of valid values.
6) Translatable independent —– input must exist on previously defined list
of values; translated values can be used.
7) Translatable dependent ——- input is checked against a subset of values
based on a prior values; translated value can be used.

Q20) Who information’s?
1) Created by
2) Creation date
3) Last _updated by
4) last_update_date

Oracle Applications / Financials – General Questions for interview or to increase overall awareness on some of the concepts you already aware and worked upon. this is terms as refreshing some of those.

What are different period types?
You use accounting period types to define your accounting calendar. Different Accounting Periods are-

General Ledger Periods (attached to Set of Books),

Purchasing Periods (Operating Unit Specific),

Cost Periods (Inventory Organization Specific),

AP Periods, and

AR Periods

If it is accounting period types, you can define your own period types to use in addition to the General Ledger standard period types Month, Quarter and Year. You use these period types when you define the accounting calendar for your organization. However the year type should be either Calendar or Fiscal. We have different Period types-

1) 13 Month (13 Month Calendar with An Adjusting Period).

2) Annual.

3) Monthly.

4) Quarterly.

5) Semi Monthly.

6) Weekly.

What types of invoices are there in AP and AR?

Types of Invoices are:

Standard

Credit Memo

Debit Memo

Expenses Report

Prepayment

Mixed

AWT (Automatic Withholding Tax Invoice)

Interest Invoice

PO Default

Quick Match

Mixed

Recurring Invoice

Arrears Invoice

Advance Invoice

Guarantee

Charge Back

Deposit

What is the difference between cross-validation rules and security-rules?

Cross validation rules prevent all the responsibilities/users entering invalid account combinations. Security rules are attached to specific responsibilities to prevent using few of the segment values for a segment. Cross Validation Rule: Rules that define valid combinations of segment values a user can enter in an account. Cross-validation rules restrict users from entering invalid combinations of account segment values. Security Rule: It determines the accounting transaction user can view at different levels of hierarchy, such as at Site Level –>Application Level –> Responsibility Level –> User level. Cross Validation Rule applies across the chart of account where Security Rule is applicable at Responsibility Level or User Level. Cross Validation Rules are meant for defining the set of combinations that are excluded from the global set whereas Security Rules are to restrict Users/Responsibilities. Cross-Validation Rules are to control the certain code combinations. Security Rules are to control the certain segment values.

Recurring Invoice is a type of invoice which occurs at definite intervals of time. The best example for a recurring invoice is Rent paid to the Owner.

What are the general setup steps for AP, AR, and GL?

For GL:

1. Define Chart of Accounts2. Define Calendar

3. Define Currency

4. Create Set of Books

For AP:

1. Define Suppliers (Creditors)

2. Invoice

3. Look up codes

4. Selection of Set of Books

5. Payment Terms

6. Financial & Payable Options

7. Define Banks

For AR:

1. Flexifield

2. System Options

3. Payment Terms

4. Open period

5. Auto Accounting

6. Transaction Type

7. Transaction Source

How do we integrate AP or AR to GL ?

There is a program in payables to transfer AP to GL is “payables transfer to general ledger” GL is like AR->GL<-AP, AR and AP both transfer the data in GL. AR Contains all Invoices/Receipts /CM/DM and same way AP also have AP Vouchers. Yes, there is a clear Integration of AP/AR with GL.

The integration is like this: all the accounting created in subledgers (AP/AR) are transferred to Gl. The journal created from AP/AR are clearly identified in GL according to their batch names and journal names.

What is the difference between GL date and GL posted date in GL ?

GL date is the date used to determine the correct accounting period for your transactions where as the GL posting date is the date when the journal entry is posted the GL. GL date is the date used to determine the correct accounting period for your transactions where as the GL posting date is the date when the journal entry is posted the GL, also Called Transaction Date & Posted Date.

In GL there is no org id. So how can we differentiate the data different operating units when no other modules are given ?

HR data is at business group level. GL Data is differentiated based on set of books id. AP and AR data is mostly at operating unit level. Inventory, BOM, WIP data is at inventory organization level. In the gl_sets_of_books we have the set_of_books_id column. This column is enough to differentiate between one operating unit with the other. If you see the multiorg structure of Oracle Apps modules, we’ll see that GL is setup at set of books level. Now you generally won’t get data at OU level. OU data sums up at a higher SOB level. Please follow the below structure if you want more clarification top->bottom HR org->SOB->OU->inventory org

At what stage, the subledger data is posted to GL?

When Transactions are completed in subledgers data may be posted to GL Basically after entering the transactions, report will be taken to verify the transactions. In case, if approval is needed, it is approved after verifying the transactions. Once you are sure that the transactions are correct, the same can be posted to GL. Once it is posted, most of the information for the posted transaction can not be modified in the subledger. In case of any wrong entry, you need to follow the reversal procedure. Practically, the verification of transactions are done only during the initial stages after implementation. Once the system becomes stable, it is not followed strictly. Note: Make sure that GL period is open for the transaction GL date. Close all the periods in subledger after you reconciled all your transactions. Once you close the period, sweep program will run and all the un-posted and future entries will be transferred to next open period. Once this is done run the GL Transfer program and Journal import programs to complete the transaction transfer process. Once this is done you will find un-posted journal entries in GL you can post the same or reverse the same if you find something is missing. GL periods should also been opened and the GL period should be closed at the last.

Why cant interest rates are set uniquely supplier wise in payables module, whereas interest rate is applied to all suppliers the same rate?

Terms and conditions differ with each supplier.

What is FSG and its use?

Financial Statement Generator is a powerful report building tool for Oracle GL. FSG is used by the management for the decision making in the financial sector of the firm or an enterprise.

Uses of FSG :1. Generate financial reports such as income statements and balance based upon the data in your GL.

Note: If you have average balance processing enabled in your set of books, you can report on functional, foreign–entered, or translated average balances.

2. Define your reports with reusable report objects, making it easy to create new reports from the components of reports you’ve already defined. 3. Design custom financial reports to meet specific business needs.

4. Print as many reports as you need simultaneously.

5. Print the same report for multiple companies, cost centers, departments in the same report request.

6. Schedule reports to run automatically.

7. Produce ad-hoc reports whenever you need them.

8. Print reports to tab-delimited files for easy import into client-based spreadsheet programs. In addition, you can use the Report Wizard feature of Applications Desktop Integrator to design and submit your financial reports, as well as view the results, directly from a spreadsheet. 9. Define segment value security rules to restrict financial information contained in FSG report output generated by specific users and responsibilities. Note: To apply segment value security rules, the profile option FSG: Enforce Segment Value Security must be enabled

Explain ADI and its features?

ADI means application desktop integrator. It is a excel file which allows you to transfer the data pertaining to General Ledger, Fixed Assets and Budget to oracle apps and allows to run a request. ADI functionality provides an alternative to users who prefer to load information directly from Microsoft Excel rather than using the Oracle user interface. It should read Oracle Interface Programs (batch jobs) rather than Oracle User Interfaces. Broadly following are the feature / elements of ADI

1. Journal Wizard

2. Budget Wizard

3. Report Wizard.

4. Account Hierarchy Editor.

5. Analysis Wizard.

6. Request Center

ADI allows users take advantage of many of the data-entry shortcuts of a spreadsheet, such as copying and pasting cells, dragging and dropping ranges of cells and using formulas to calculate journal line amounts. ADI validates the data entered against the accounts, security rules and reference information that are defined in the General Ledger (GL).

What is EDI and its functions?

EDI – Electronic Data Interchange, to send the data to another server/destination via EDI server.E-Commerce Gate Way is the one of the Module in Oracle Apps. EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is way of exchanging the Business documents like Sales Order, Invoice, PO etc., between two business entities in agreed standard format like ASCII X12 format. In oracle application, business documents may be referred as 850POI (purchase order Inbound), 810INO (Invoice Outbound) etc.. There are several third party sources are available which may be use in mapping of several documents from Oracle Format to X12 and vice versa. Some of them like Sterling Commerce, Klein Schmidt…. EDI is a toll where in whenever the customer is sending the PO it gets saved in this toll, again when the supplier after supplying the material will send an invoice through EDI, wherein the EDI of the customer will match the PO with the invoice and the invoice will get processed automatically, in case if it is not matching it will be in the error sheet

Just to thought how to define Oracle E-business Suite term.

What is Oracle E-Business Suite

Oracle’s E-Business Suite is a fully integrated system package that provides access to Oracle’s business applications in a database environment. The suite is available in internet format and provides strong flexibility in integrating Oracle systems across applications. The E-Business Suite includes multiple products, such as Oracle Financials (Oracle General Ledger, Oracle Payables, Oracle Receivable), Oracle Logistics, Oracle HR, and Oracle Sales. The most current E-Business Suite release is edition 12, which debuted in January 2007

The suite is comprised of a three-tiered hardware architecture. The tiers are database, application and PC. Sometimes referred to as Oracle’s “E-Business Suite”, Oracle Applications (currently Release 12, released 31st January 2007), contains several product lines.

Lets take an example. Suppose you are running a small grocery shop named “Janata Grocery”, so the typical operation as a shop owner is you basically buy groceries from some big seller and stock it in your shop. Now people come to your shop for day-to-day needs and buy stuff from your shop at a slightly higher price than what you originally bought and stocked it in your shop.
Ocassionally you may not be carrying items or run out of stock that people ask for so you make a note of it and promise the person to come back tomorrow and they will get their item. So far so good, now lets name some entities before we proceed and things get complicated. The big seller from whom you buy stock is called as Vendor, the people who come to your shop to buy things are known as customers, the stock in your shop is known as inventory.

So far we have identified few entities that play an active role in your day-to-day operations. As time goes by, your business expands and now you take orders over the phone and provide service to deliver the items to your customers, so you hire people to help you out in maintaining the inventory, do the delivery part and all the necessary stuff to keep the business running smoothly. The people you hire are known as employees.
So in this small shop, you typically manage the bookkeeping activities by hand using a notepad or something similar. Now imagine the same setup on a larger scale where you have more than 10,000 customers, have more than 1000 vendors, have more than 1000 employees and have a huge warehouse to maintain your inventory. Do you think you can manage all that information using pen and paper? Absolutely no way! Your business will come to a sudden stop sign.

To facilitate big businesses, companies like Oracle Corporation have created huge software known in the category of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) as Oracle Applications. Now coming to think of it, Oracle Apps is not one huge software, instead it is a collection of software known as modules that are integrated and talk to each other.

Now what is meant by integrated? First let us identify the modules by entities. For e.g Purchasing and Account Payables deal with the vendors since you typically purchase from vendors and eventually have to pay the dues. Oracle Purchasing handles all the requisitions and purchase orders to the vendors whereas Oracle Accounts Payables handles all the payments to the vendors.

Similarly Oracle Inventory deals with the items you maintain in stock, warehouse etc. Dealing with customers is handled collectively with the help of Oracle Receivables and Oracle Order Management. Order Management helps you collect all the information that your customer is ordering over the phone or webstore etc whereas Receivables help you collect the money for the orders that are delivered to the customers.

Now who maintains the paychecks, benefits of the 1000 employees? right! it is managed by Oracle Human Resources. So you get the idea by now that for each logical function there is a separate module that helps to execute and maintain that function.

So all the individual functions are being taken care but how do I know if I am making profit or loss? That’s where integration comes into play. There is another module known as Oracle General Ledger. This module receives information from all the different transaction modules and summarizes them in order to help you create profit and loss statements, reports for paying Taxes etc.

Just to simplify the explaination, when you pay your employees that payment is reported back to General Ledgers as cost i.e money going out, when you purchase inventory items the information is transferred to GL as money going out, and so is the case when you pay your vendors. Similarly when you receive items in your inventory it is transferred to GL as money coming in, when your customer sends payment it is transfered to GL as money coming in. So all the different transaction modules report to GL (General Ledger) as either “money going in” or “money going out”, the net result will tell you if you are making a profit or loss.

All the equipment, shops, warehouses, computers can be termed as Assets and they are managed by Oracle Fixed Assets. Initially Oracle Applications started as bunch of modules and as time passed by they added new modules for different and new functions growing out of the need for today’s internet world.

So if you come across a module that you are trying to learn and work on, first try to understand what business need is it trying to fulfill and then try to understand what the immediate modules that it interacts with. For e.g lets say you come across Oracle Cost Management module, you will learn that it helps to maintain the costs of items in your inventory and the immediate modules that it interacts with are Oracle Inventory (ofcourse), Oracle Bills of Material, Order Management and so on..

Hello Friends, Some of my friends are requesting to put some good easy and relevant Questions along with Answers for Oracle Application which are used in all modules. So here i am putting some question in parts, each part having 10 Questions. plz share your feedback on difficulty level and your interest.

this is now updated and corrected after feedback from gerath.

Q1 In which FND table independent value set will be stored?

A 1 FND_FLEX_VALUES and FND_FLEX_VALUES_TL

Q2 How to schedule the concurrent programs from Back end(PLSQL) -not from SRS form.

Example: req_id := FND_REQUEST.SUBMIT_REQUEST(‘FND’, ‘FNDSCARU’); Fnd_request.submit_request can be called from any valid EBS session (initialized by fnd_global.apps_initialize)

Q3 Where do concurrent request log files and output files go?

A3 The concurrent manager first looks for the environment variable $APPLCSF, If this is set, it creates a path using two other environment variables:

$APPLLOG and $APPLOUT

It places log files in $APPLCSF/$APPLLOG

Output files go in $APPLCSF/$APPLOUT

So for example, if you have this environment set:

$APPLCSF = /u01/appl/common

$APPLLOG = log

$APPLOUT = out

The concurrent manager will place log files in /u01/appl/common/log, and output files in /u01/appl/common/out

Note that $APPLCSF must be a full, absolute path, and the other two are directory names. If $APPLCSF is not set, it places the files under the product top of the application associated with the request. So for example, a PO report would go under $PO_TOP/$APPLLOG and $PO_TOP/$APPLOUT

Logfiles go to: /u01/appl/po/9.0/log

Output files to: /u01/appl/po/9.0/out

Of course, all these directories must exist and have the correct permissions. Note that all concurrent requests produce a log file, but not necessarily an output file

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